“What does adoption mean to a child?”

Jade's Adoption Story

I’m from a small town in Virginia. Other than Friday nights in our football stadium known as “The Jungle,” there’s not much to Louisa County. But all like any kid with nothing to do, I was curious about things that a 14-year-old had no business even thinking about, but needless to say I did it anyways and the ending results weren’t all that good. So begins my story.

I can remember it like it was yesterday; it was my mom’s birthday to be exact. I think the worst day of both of our lives. Hers because she had to except the fact that her little girl wasn’t as innocent as she wanted to believe, and mine for the simple fact that I didn’t want to admit to the wrong that I had done. From that point on, life seemed to be in fast-forward. There were many decision to be made. I had to realize that it wasn’t about me anymore. I had to think about the baby that I was now carrying.

I’m not going to sit here and say it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done because it was actually the opposite. But in the end what it all came down to is my baby’s future. I felt as if it would be selfish of me to keep her away from the best life she could have. I mean I was given every opportunity to be the best at anything and everything I did. Just because I didn’t take every single one of those opportunities and run with it doesn’t mean that is not what I want for my baby. To this day I can’t explain it but when I first read Duane and Rosetta’s profile, I knew that they were the ones that could give my baby everything hat at the time I couldn’t. Now that I have graduated from high school, I would like the opportunity to further my education and to follow my dreams to ensure, even through difficult to make, I did make the right decision for both of us at that time.

I am thankful to American Adoptions for everything they’ve done. I am extra thankful for Duane and Rosetta for everything they have done, are doing, and have planned for my baby. I know she’ll turn out to be the brightest girl ever. And lastly and most definitely I want to thank my mommy and my daddy for all of the extra that I’ve put them through. Just knowing that I have them as my support system makes this whole thing a little easier to deal with.

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Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

American Adoptions, a private adoption agency founded on the belief that lives of children can be bettered through adoption, provides safe adoption services to children, birth parents and adoptive families by educating, supporting and coordinating necessary services for adoptions throughout the United States. For more information on American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846)